The Australian coal industry employs about 50,000 people directly and pays wages and salaries worth more than $6 billion per annum.

It employs a highly skilled workforce, including mine operators, engineers, geologists and skilled tradespeople. The industry pays some of the highest wages in the country and provides support for education, training and apprenticeships; and contributes tens of millions of dollars annually to fund community social infrastructure.

The coal industry also provides indirect employment for around 150,000 Australians, mainly in rural and regional Australia.

These jobs are under attack from activists and extremists determined to shut the industry down.

I am writing to support the 200,000 Australians who work in the coal industry and I urge you to support them too.

If you want the facts about Australia’s coal industry please visit www.minerals.org.au

Australia is fortunate to be richly endowed with a commodity that is indispensable to modern life: coal. Coal is the world’s fuel of choice for electricity– accounting for 41 per cent of all generation – because it is reliable and affordable. Coal is also an essential ingredient in the manufacture of steel and cement.

Australia has the fourth-largest share of proven coal reserves in the world. Australia has 110 years of black coal and 510 years of brown coal. Coal benefits all Australians through its contribution to exports, wages, investment and tax revenue. It is Australia’s comparative advantage in coal – together with iron ore – that has enabled Australians to sustain the longest period of continuous economic growth in the nation’s history.

Coal in Australia is under attack from powerful groups determined to shut the industry. Please support the 200,000 Australians who work in our coal industry.